2017-2018 Student Parent Handbook Welcome to the DC Youth Orchestra Program! The DC Youth Orchestra Program (DCYOP) is the leading ensemble-based classical music education program in the Washington, DC metropolitan region. Founded in 1960 by Lyn McLain at the request of DC Public Schools, the mission of DCYOP is “music for young people; achievement for life!” DCYOP offers group lessons and ensemble training on all orchestral instruments for students ages 4 ½ to 18. The program consists of eight ensembles including the renowned Youth Orchestra. DCYOP derives its success from a strong emphasis on musical achievement and excellence. The only requirement to join is a desire to learn. Each week, 35 renowned faculty teach over 100 classes to 500 students at DCYOP’s main site at Eastern High School. DCYOP has three additional after school programs at title one elementary and middle schools in DC. DCYOP distinguishes itself is through its inclusivity. The program welcomes all students that wish to participate, regardless of background, socioeconomic status or ability. DCYOP strives to make its program affordable to all by offering multiple tuition programs. This enables children from diverse backgrounds to experience the joy of learning and making music together. For over 50 years, DCYOP has been a part of the Washington community by fostering the musical development and changing the lives of over 50,000 youth. The first youth orchestra to perform at the Kennedy Center, DCYOP has tour 20 countries, played for numerous US presidents and foreign diplomats and worked with esteemed musicians such as Aaron Copland, Lorin Maazel, Mstislav Rostropovich, and Marvin Hamlisch. The program has received the National Arts and Humanities Youth Program Award (formerly Coming Up Taller) and the Mayor’s Award for Outstanding Contributions to Arts Education. The Catalogue for Philanthropy selected DCYOP as “one of the best small non-profits in the Greater Washington region” for is 2016-2017 award year. DCYOP is a 501c3 organization and thanks its private and public supporters for making this program possible. 1 General Information DC Youth Orchestra PHONE: (202) 698-0123 Program Eastern Senior High FAX: (202) 719-5290 School 1700 E. Capitol WEBSITE: www.dcyop.org Street, NE Washington, DC Offices: 20003 Room W145, Saturdays only. DCYOP’s weekday workspace is in SW DC. Office Hours: Social Media Weekday Meetings: By Appointment Only “Like” us on Facebook at Facebook.com/dcyop DCYOP is available via phone “Follow” us on Twitter or Instagram at Tuesday – Saturday 9 am – 4 pm @dcyopmusic DCYOP offices are closed on Sunday and Monday Administration Program Staff Elizabeth Schurgin, Executive Director Evan Ross Solomon, Program and Artistic [email protected] Director Maya Weil, Director of Development [email protected] [email protected] Mariano Vales, Music Director Natalia Allende, Director of Communications [email protected] [email protected] Alex Berti, Program Manager Elle Clack, Development Associate (Children’s Orchestra) [email protected] [email protected] Rashida Coleman, Program Manager Badriyyah Shakir, Office Associate (Young Musicians [email protected] Academy) [email protected] Kwamel Simms, Operations Assistant [email protected] Family Communication DCYOP regularly communicates to its families about program news, events, closures and other important information. DCYOP communicates through the following means: ● Email – This is the primary method of communication. Please make sure that DCYOP has your most up-to-date email. Please adjust your spam filter or firewalls so that you can accept @dcyop.org emails. ● www.dcyop.org – Our website is a great source of all information regarding schedules, program information, jury evaluation material, and more. Be sure to check it frequently! ● US Mail – This is used rarely and only for specific correspondence and when necessary. Please inform the DCYOP office of any address change. ● Phone – DCYOP staff is available during office hours to help you with any questions. ● Newsletter – DCYOP publishes a quarterly newsletter. Called “The Score,” our newsletter includes student features, recent accomplishments and upcoming events. 2 Emergencies, Delays and Closures DCYOP follows the DC Public School (DCPS) closing policy. If DCPS is closed for weekend activities, then all DCYOP events are cancelled. If DCYOP needs to close, DCYOP will notify families via social media and email. Important program information will be communicated, including emergencies, delays and closures in the following order: ● Twitter: @dcyopmusic * ● Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/dcyop * ● DCYOP website: http://www.dcyop.org ● DCPS website: http://dcps.dc.gov/portal/site/DCPS/ ● Phone: Call (202) 698-0123. ● Email: Sign up to receive email alerts on the DCYOP website. *Quickest way to receive information about emergencies, delays or closures. DCYOP Mission Statement Music for young people; Achievement for life! To achieve our mission, the DC Youth Orchestra Program adheres to the following goals: 1. Provide quality music instruction and performance opportunities for young people in the DC metropolitan area across its full diversity; 2. Develop a youth orchestra capable of competing successfully at the national and international levels; 3. Instill in our students the discipline and focus necessary to succeed academically as well as musically. DCYOP Core Values Excellence We believe that achieving excellence - as an individual musician and in an ensemble - is a transformative experience – building skill, pride, humility, and self-esteem. Accessibility We make ourselves accessible to young people who feel compelled to be a part of an orchestral music experience without respect to economic means or social circumstances. We believe that an accessible organization opens young minds and hearts to diverse aesthetics, different histories, arrays of cultures, and experiences that they would not have otherwise. Dedication Success in music is like success in life. It requires dedication to self and others, dedication to growing one’s skills, and dedication to the success of others who rely on you. Transformation We believe that playing music is transformational - that the experience unfetters the soul, hones sensibilities, and empowers the mind in all other types of learning. We believe that participation in the DC Youth Orchestra Program empowers our young musicians, their present families, and the families that they will someday raise. 3 About the Program ORGANIZATION DESCRIPTION The mission of DCYOP is “music for young people; achievement for life!” The core goals of DCYOP are: • To provide quality music instruction and performance opportunities for young people in the DC metropolitan area across its full diversity. • To develop a youth orchestra capable of competing successfully at the national and international levels. • To instill in our students the discipline and focus necessary to succeed academically as well as musically. WHO WE SERVE With strong financial and public school access barriers, DCYOP is the only preK-12 program that seeks to make high quality ensemble music education available to all students, regardless of background, socioeconomic status, or ability. This inclusiveness distinguishes the program from other youth music education organizations in the Washington metropolitan area. Our students currently represent more than 200 schools, 100 unique zip codes, and a variety of socioeconomic and cultural backgrounds. A child’s musical learning can cost a family more than $2,000 a year in instrument rentals, lessons, and program fees. As this child advances and the training becomes more specialized, the cost becomes even higher. Through a community of supporters, DCYOP fundraises over $800,000 per year to reduce the cost of tuition for its families. Fees are offered at a sliding scale and instrument rentals are provided to families receiving tuition assistance. On average, DCYOP fundraises 70% of its annual budget. While the actual cost per child is just over $600 a semester, DCYOP’s fees range from $25 – 395. OUR PROGRAMS As the leading ensemble-based classical music education program in the Washington, DC region, DCYOP offers group lessons and ensemble training on all orchestral instruments for students ages 4 ½ to 18. DCYOP’s main site is located at Eastern High School and serves more than 500 students each Saturday. Students participate in group classes, ensemble rehearsals, and performances each semester. The program offers more than 100 classes and seven ensembles, including the renowned Youth Orchestra. Ensembles: Ensembles include Debut Orchestra (introductory strings), Sinfonia 1 and 2 (beginner strings), Wind Ensemble (beginner wind, brass, and percussion), Young Artist and Repertory Orchestra (intermediate full instrumentation), Youth Philharmonic and Youth Orchestra (advanced full instrumentation). All students participate in at least one concert each semester throughout the DC community. Past concerts have taken place at the National Gallery of Art, THEARC, the Kennedy Center, Atlas Theater, and Washington National Cathedral, amongst others. 4 Young Musicians Academy: Offered at DCYOP’s main site at Eastern High School, DCYOP’s Young Musicians Academy provides 200+ young people each semester with instrumental group lessons. Chamber Music: To further enhance students’ musical learning as well as to provide a platform for leadership development, DCYOP also offers a tuition-free chamber music program for its intermediate